GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Interstat) — The Grand Rapids Gold used a dominant first quarter to set the tone and never looked back, defeating the Birmingham Squadron 123-101 in a G League matchup Friday night at Van Andel Arena.

The victory evened the season series at one game apiece and pushed both teams to identical 21-29 records across all competitions.

Grand Rapids seized control immediately, erupting for 35 points in the opening period while holding Birmingham to 20. The Gold’s early surge was fueled by efficient ball movement and sharp outside shooting, building a lead that the Squadron would challenge but never overcome. Birmingham, which entered the game with a 60.4% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, found itself fighting uphill the rest of the way.

The Gold’s offensive execution was consistent throughout, scoring at least 25 points in every quarter. Birmingham, meanwhile, showed persistent fight, incrementally increasing its output each period and posting a game-high 30 points in the fourth. The Squadron’s effort, however, was never enough to close the significant gap established early.

Coleman Hawkins, the Gold’s 6-foot-10 center, was instrumental in the win. His defensive presence was felt early with multiple rebounds and steals that fueled Grand Rapids’ transition game, and he served as a key facilitator from the high post. David Roddy, the 6-foot-5 power forward, provided a potent scoring punch, particularly from beyond the arc, helping stretch the Birmingham defense.

For the Squadron, Christian Shumate, a 6-foot-6 power forward from Chicago, was a persistent offensive force, attacking the basket and cleaning up on the offensive glass. Johnny O’Neil, Birmingham’s 6-foot-10 center from Miami Shores, Florida, contributed with outside shooting and rim protection, recording multiple blocks. The backcourt duo of D.J. Carton and Trhae Mitchell also provided moments of offensive creation and defensive resistance.

The most important sequence of the game occurred midway through the first quarter, transforming a competitive start into a commanding Gold lead. With Grand Rapids already up 15-10, they unleashed a 14-2 run over a two-minute span that effectively decided the contest’s trajectory. The run was sparked by defensive stops and unselfish play. It began with a steal by Coleman Hawkins leading to a David Roddy three-pointer, followed by another Hawkins steal that resulted in a Roddy three-point assist from Ben Coupet. After a Birmingham score, K.J. Simpson converted a layup with a foul, and after the ensuing free throw, Roddy buried another three-pointer off a Simpson assist. The burst gave Grand Rapids a 29-12 advantage, and the Squadron spent the remaining three quarters unable to cut the deficit to single digits.

The win allowed Grand Rapids to avenge a 122-95 loss to Birmingham on March 11. Both teams continue to navigate the back half of the G League schedule with matching records.